3. The pulpitum

The pulpitum is a very particular type of screen. Its name derives of course from the same root as 'pulpit', and as this suggests, the pulpitum is primarily a platform. It was from the pulpitum in major churches and cathedrals that Epistles and Gospels were sung during solemn masses, where sermons were preached, the blessed sacrament exposed, pontifical blessings administered and acts of chapter announced. Nowadays most pulpitums are used to carry pipe organs, and the best view in the building is habitually reserved to the organist.

In form, then, because of its requirement for a substantial loft, the pulpitum is far heavier and more solid than other wooden screens. It is sometimes as much as a whole bay in thickness and has stairs running up inside it to the loft above. Typically there are no windows through a pulpitum; the only opening is a vaulted passageway through the middle, through which the clergy processed as they began each of the many offices and services. The pulpitum marks the western boundary of the quire stalls, and is either located under the eastern arch of the central tower (as at York pictured above), or the western arch of the central tower (as at Chichester or Gloucester)), or even further west still into the (architectural) nave (as at Norwich or Westminster Abbey).

Sometimes, an altar was placed either side of the doorway on the west side of the pulpitum, as at Glasgow:

These altars were probably used for private masses. The pulpita at Exeter, Southwell and elsewhere have intimate spaces under the pulpitum either side of the doorway for these altars; I wouldn't necessarily count them as 'Nave Altars'.